20. andragoški kolokvij

http://pro.acs.si/ak2017

21st Adult Education Colloquium and closing 'EAAL Project' eventNon-formal adult education as a strategy for reacting to changes

3 and 4 October 2017Vertikala (Pipistrel Vertical Solutions), Vipavska cesta 2, Ajdovščina

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Cofinanced by:

Community Learning as a way to react to changes

Catherine Aylmer/Jimmy Prior Limerick Community Education Network



• High unemployment• Educational attainment levels low• Early school leaving above the national average• Third level participation below national average• These figures are higher in many estates within the city• Community Education appeals to adult learners who are

least likely to engage with formal education

Importance of Community Education in Limerick City


Community Education in Limerick City• Takes place in community settings across the city• Recruitment is carried out by community groups • Three strands:

• Basic Education – Literacy & numeracy• Non-formal• Accredited

• Supported by the LCETB (Limerick & Clare Education & Training Board). Funding provided for tuition

• Relies to a large degree on employment schemes and volunteerism

• Chronically underfunded• Many providers are LCEN members


LIMERICK CITY COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTRES


NUMBER OF COURSES PROVIDED IN COMMUNITIES CITY WIDE

178

61

328

Basic LiteracyCertifiednon-formal


COMMUNITY EDUCATION IN LIMERICK


SOCIAL VALUE OF COMMUNITY EDUCATION IN LIMERICK

• Positive educational experience• Progression opportunities• Quality of life issues including physical & mental health benefits• Promoting volunteerism• Community engagement/active citizenship• Participation in Local, Regional,national associations and

networks• Inter-generational impact• Life long learning


Limerick Community Education Network• LCEN is a network of community, voluntary and statutory groups

involved in the provision of community based adult education in Limerick city

• Community Led• Established in 1993 • Purpose: Sharing of information and ideas and working

collaboratively to ensure:• Good practice• Resourcing of community education• Local awareness of community education e.g. through use of media,

citywide registration week• Provision of training and support for members


LCEN MEMBERSHIP



LCEN ACHIEVEMENTS• Celebrating 25 Years of Limerick Community Education Network

in 2018• Launch of LCEN website • National Aontas Star Award winners 2012• Publication of research-Social Value of Community Based Adult

Education in Limerick City (2012)• Support for establishment and maintenance of QQI Quality

Assurance Centres • Cross community support and sharing of resources• Citywide Learner Registration Week• Citywide learner events • Support for Learner voice on the national learner forum


FACING CHALLENGES IN TIMES OF CHANGE

• Regeneration 2008

• Recession – Impact on communities

• Digital Divide

• Adapting to changes in National,Regional and Local Structures


Regeneration – Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges• Displacement of Families• Community Capacity (community leaders left their community)• Consulted not consultation

Opportunities

• Funding initiatives to support training of residents/community leaders

• LCEN engagement with Regeneration – educational needs analysis


Recession Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges• Increase in unemployment• Change in policy from social inclusion to activationOpportunities• Engaging with hard to reach (e.g. Men’s Shed initiative)• Ensuring that community based education continues to

be funded and recognised as part of the FET strategy



Digital Divide - Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges• Introduce ICT to communities who were removed from

digital age• Provision training and resources Opportunities• ICT Steering group(local partnership and community)• Secured funding for computer training rooms through

local businesses and Government • Provided training in ICT in local communities



Changes in National,Regional and Local Structures - Challenges and OpportunitiesChallenges• Capacity building for local learners to participate in

national regional, local structures• Statutory recognition for the importance of bottom up

approach• Funding• Community engagement


Changes in National,Regional and Local Structures - Challenges and OpportunitiesOpportunitiesEnsuring the community voice and learner voice is heardVoter Education/Active CitizenshipLobbyingWorld CaféSetting up Limerick and Clare community education forumRepresentation by community residents on local and regional committees (Public Participation Network


Documents

20. andragoški kolokvij